Who doesn’t want to sound cooler and at the same time play slower?
It seems that when you want to add some excitement and “mix it up” in your solos, that you should play faster, right? I think most of us think that way…
But what you really want to do is add some interest, some syncopation, and some back and forth between accenting down beats and up beats.
Here’s a way to create some of that coolness factor without actually speeding up… and in fact you get to slow down.
44 replies to "Play Cooler By Playing Slower"
IMO, B.B. King was amazing on slow blues. He could say more with 3 notes than these speed demons can with a hundred.
I love the tip at the end – practicing by counting out loud while playing a scale (or any series of notes) is great, esp for those of us who have a little difficulty keeping time – really “burns it in” to the neural pathway
very cool. thx!
Hey Griff,
I’ll have to break out the jam tracks that’s a very cool idea. Thanks for the tip.
Alexander
Thanks for a really great important lesson, I’m working on this till I get it down!
You’re so right Griff timing and counting are so important to have different flavors in ones playing come out down the road. I’ve found that in a sense collaborating with the metronome at times instead of being dictated by it was fun and helpful also. Many thanks for all the great lessons sir. You and yours have a great holiday weekend too.
Yup ya got me GUILTY . Super video Griff
Sorry to hear about your Dad. Mine passed awhile ago. I miss him dearly. Keep up the good work.
THANKS AGAIN YOU EXPLAIN IT REALLY WELL
Thanks Griff!
10/20/18
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It’s imperative that more people make this exact point.
Welcome back Eva, I had a wonderful time following your trip in Morroco Using tea with meat is nothing short of fascinating. It added so much to the recipe that I can’t wait to do again
I’m a bad counter. If you could, please write a series if 1 and a, then highlight by circling the correct position WHERE (or when) I should pick. I copy you and I can do it but not by counting . I want to learn to count be NEED the visual reference. As a school I’ve learned we all learn in different ways. I’m visual.
Sorry, not IF 1 and a, but OF 1 and a
Felt so hopeless looking for answers to my qus.oitns.e.until now.
Hey Griff,
Great lesson..I have saved the wmv for later..as I am busy doing some of your courses that I purchased. But I can easily relate to this lesson.
Michael-Sydney-Australia 6th Oct 2016.
I think the notation / tab for the intro “noodle” would be a great tool. Not to mention it’s a cool mini solo. In the Forum?
Thanks,
Pat
First I would like to say thank you for allowing me the opportunity to purchase the bluse guitar unleashed it’s been an eye opener to watch your videos just this morning I picked up my guitar and realized that it’s not as comlicated. we make it complicated cause we’re not paying attention to the note that makes the scale. Too start at any given note is so exciting I’m more determined to learn and keep in mind each of the key of note e a b c d g and f to think how endless it is wow! And I’m just bargaining can’t wait to see how I’m playing licks several months from now and to put them together from any starting point it’s endless I couldn’t hAVE done it without you BRINGING down the price thanks for the opportunity to purchase this your a good teacher. Ps joe mtz
Sorry didn’t proofread its begaining not bargaining
There are a few good points here.
Too often it seems to me that guitarists are competing to play the most notes rather than to play the best music. That’s why I’d much rather listen to (and learn from) BB King than Johnny Winter.
The jazz guitarist, Joe Beck, used to say that the key was to choose the most important note in each measure. Start with that, then embellish it as you feel it.
Taste outranks flash in my book.
Thanks man. Useful stuff indeed.
Awesome video,I know you speak of counting, the thing is I tried but I keep going back to the old way, I purchase your 1st Ultimate Jam’s they are awesome as well so I get so excited playing them, and then I just go crazy, I mean really playing and I forget to count, what can I do, sign Manny
Manny this is not the place for questions. Join the Blues Guitar Unleashed forum and ask there.
I know Griff is right about counting out loud. I just find it impossible to do. I was a trumpet player in grade school & high school. Had to learn to count in my head for obvious reasons. Now as an intermediate guitar player, when I begin to count out loud my hands just stop moving. I freeze up. I can count or I can play. Can’t do both. Frustrating ’cause I know he’s correct.
I also find it impossible and I’ve been playing for decades, at one point professionally. You need to come in on the right beat and finish on it, but do you think Django Reinhardt was counting while playing, or Robert Johnson, or Otis Rush or Albert King? I think if your brain works that way it’s going to help you, but some of us have to use ‘feel’. I tried many times in the past with a teacher and without but I find that when I have to count I use my feet. In 4/4 left foot on beats 1 and 3 and right foot on 3 and 4. Always know what beat I’m on that way even when playing solo . So Griff is obviously right about the vital importance of being in the correct rhythm, but in life there is nearly always more than one way of accomplishing something.
Of course this is a great lesson. Anything pertaining to time, syncopation,
making a solo more desirable, is going to be a great lesson, which this is…
i believe that less is more just keep it interesting and thats the tough part
Thanx Griff its amazing the different timings and like you said when you play certain songs you will hear if it sounds right!. Ray Martin.
good video timing is everthing
Great lesson Griff!! I would love to see an example depicted on the staff (tab).
Really cool lesson, thanks Griff – reinforces the importance of counting the beat, AND gives me something specific I can use to mix it up in solo’s. Cheers.
Keep them thinking Griff .It is the changing of the beats and tempo is the key to any music. We all have a beat in side us or some of do.
Nice job…
Nice lesson, Griff! Seems like a great starting point for breaking out of the “eight-note-itis” rut that we beginners all start out in. Thanks for the ideas!
Griff
Thank you for all the video shorts. I find them very helpful but I must review them often which also helps me anyway as I am still working on the Blues Guitar Unleashed course. Just an ole guy starting to play again after at least 40 years of not playing. Thanks again. I like the way you teach.
Another Solo ‘tool’ for the ‘Guitar Solo Toolbox’….Thanks Griff!
Nice addition to the repertoire! Thanks.
Hey Griff thank you for the many videos. You have been a tremendous help my friend with my learning to solo. I don’t get to practice much, maybe once or twice a week. Before you, I tried to do it on my own, man was that hard and confusing.I really want to learn to play by reading music. Any help with that dude will be greatly appreciated. Again thank you so much for what you have done.
Good lesson Griff. I cant wait to try this out.
very helpfull
Cheers Griff for the lesson
Cheers Griff
Always good to watch your videos learn something new every time